Vol. 7, Issue 3, Part E (2021)

Introduction: The carotid artery tends itself to study by high-resolution ultrasound devices because it is superficial in location, are relatively stationary and runs parallel to the surface of the neck, at least to the level of the carotid bifurcation. Employing B-mode ultrasound, the ‘double echo’ pattern represents the combined width of the carotid artery intima and media, can be readily and reproducibly visualized in nearly all subjects.

Color Doppler sonography became a mainstay in evaluation of the extra-cranial territory and its accuracy in comparison with angiography is well established. Carotid sonography has largely replaced angiography for suspected extra-cranial Carotid atherosclerosis.

1.To assess Carotid Intima media thickness [IMT], Resistive index [RI], plaques & stenotic changes in hypertensive patients using High frequency B-scale ultrasound and Color Doppler.

2.To compare the findings in hypertensive subjects with normotensive subjects.

Type of study: Clinical Cross Sectional and Correlational Study.

Source of data: Data for our study was collected from the patients referred to Department of Radio diagnosis and modern imaging with clinically diagnosed essential hypertension. They were evaluated with B-scale and color doppler. The normotensive subjects were patient’s relatives, hospital and clinical staff.

Study period: The study was performed for the period of two years from Sep. 2018 to aug.2020 excluding the period of data analysis and write-up.

Method of collection of data: A structured, pre-prepared case proforma (CP) was used to enter the clinical history, physical examination findings, and investigations-hematological, urinary and duplex sonography findings. Total number of subjects selected for the study was 100. We selected 50 hypertensive patients aged between 40-55 years and 50 normotensive subjects of same age group.

Results and Conclusion: Hypertension is a well-known major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Early atherosclerotic changes represent increase in intima media thickness (IMT) & resistive index (RI).Intima media thickness is considered a morphological parameter and resistive index [RI] as a hemodynamic parameter. These parameters can be assessed easily, accurately, noninvasively and in a cost-effective way by high frequency ultrasound and Doppler study. Study we performed revealed that intima media thickness [IMT] and resistive index [RI] of common carotid artery as assessed by high frequency ultrasound and Doppler study respectively, are significantly increased in all hypertensive patients compared with normotensives. This can help us to predict future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies.